Comparison of conventional fractionation (five fractions per week) and altered fractionation (six fractions per week) in stage I and II squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx: An institutional study.

BACKGROUND: The radiotherapy (RT) dose and fractionation schedule for head and neck cancers for locoregional control and acceptable organ toxicity are still debatable. Accelerated RT includes administration of six fractions per week with the same dose per fraction.

AIM: Comparison of conventional versus accelerated RT in terms of locoregional control, and acute and late radiation toxicity in squamous cell carcinoma oropharynx (stage I and II).

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective, double arm, phase 2, randomized study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients of squamous cell carcinoma oropharynx (stage I and II) were randomized in two arms (accelerated fractionation, arm 1 and conventional fractionation, arm 2). All patients received RT dose of 66 Gray (Gy) in 33 fractions (#). The patients in arm 1 received six fractions per week with 2 Gy/# (Monday-Saturday) and in arm 2, five fractions per week with 2 Gy/# (Monday-Friday). No chemotherapy was administered. During and after the treatment, locoregional control, and acute and late radiation toxicity were assessed.

RESULTS: At 1-year follow-up, 76% patients in arm 1 and 64% patients in arm 2 had complete response. The recurrence rate at the end of 1 year in arm 1 was 12% and it was 20% in arm 2.The acute Grade 2 and 3 toxicities were higher in the accelerated arm and no significant difference in late toxicities was found. SPSS version 4.0 was used for statistical analysis.

CONCLUSION: Accelerated fractionation provides better locoregional control with higher but acceptable acute and equal late radiation toxicity in squamous cell carcinoma oropharynx.